Ahmad Fanakati

Ahmad Fanakati (1242-10 April 1282) was finance minister of the Yuan dynasty under Kublai Khan.

Biography
Ahmad Fanakati was born in Fanakat, Qara Khitai (present-day Tajikistan) in 1242, and he was brought to the court of Kublai Khan by his wife Jamui Khatun. He reached high financial office and was entrusted with state finances in 1262, bringing huge tax revenues to the Khan's government in northern China. After the conquest of the Song dynasty in 1276, he entered the financial matters of southern China, using a state monopoly on salt to increase government income. His tax system angered many traditionalist Chinese people, and Fanakati was reputed for his rapaciousness and for using his position to gather riches for himself. In 1281, the death of the empress Chabi Khatun resulted in his assassination, and Kublai also had his sons executed.